Local soccer athletes receive all-state honors

BY MIKE GALLAGHER Tribune Sports Writer

Published
10:24 pm EDT, Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Kaitlin Brown

Lakers

Forward

12 Goals

5 Assists

“As the season went on, her shots became more accurate and she had an even better understanding of spacing and were she needed to be. She’s obviously got speed and over the past two seasons, she’s been able to capitalize on that in many situations.” - EPBP co-coach Becky Krohn

“As the season went on, her shots became more accurate and she had an even better understanding of spacing and were she needed to be. She’s obviously got speed and over the past two seasons, she’s been able to capitalize on that in many situations.” - EPBP co-coach Becky Krohn

UPPER THUMB — Girls soccer was strong in the Huron Daily Tribune coverage area this season.Bad Axe went undefeated in Greater Thumb Conference play, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port won its first district title since 2010 and Harbor Beach was its usual steady and impressive self.The three teams were rewarded for their success this past week, as each squad had a player named to the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-State team.Hatchet junior midfielder Josie Fitzpatrick scored two goals and had one assist on the season, but he presence was felt more on the defensive side of the ball.Fitzpatrick helped lead a Bad Axe defense that had six shutouts and allowed just two goals in conference play.She was also named the team's Most Valuable Player."She is tenacious, smart and willing to work," said Bad Axe head coach Adam Sutherland. "She is a hard worker in practice, and there's no surprise she brings that to each game."Sutherland added: "She was a great read on the ball, and her timing for control is excellent. She also knows how to throw it around without being reckless and is not afraid of contact and stays on her feet."Harbor Beach forward Megan Pawlowski was the engine that powered a Pirate offense that scored 45 goals in 16 games this season.Pawlowski, a junior, scored 15 goals this season and had five assists."Megan has been a difference maker for us throughout her career," said Harbor Beach head coach Brian Fuller. "She was score some big goals for us through the years and has a way of keeping us loose."Fuller added: "Many times, as she goes, we go. She is a delightful person to be around and is well liked and respected by her teammates."Lakers forward Kaitlin Brown was key to the EPBP success this season, and figures to be key for the Lakers in future seasons as well, as she is only a sophomore.Despite being only a sophomore, Brown led her team in scoring, as she finished with 12 goals and five assists."After talking with her after her freshman season ended and she had to split time between goalie and forward, she was very determined to be a presence in the field this year," said EPBP co-coach Becky Krohn. "As the season went on, her shots became more accurate and she had an even better understanding of spacing and were she needed to be. She's obviously got speed and over the past two seasons, she's been able to capitalize on that in many situations."Brown did a lot of her damage during district play, as she helped lead EPBP to its first title in eight years, by scoring five goals in three games."She came in clutch when we needed her in districts," said EPBP co-coach Katie Maust. "She is a powerful, strong and fast player who attacks the defense."Krohn added: "We are looking forward to her building upon the success she had in districts as we transition into next season."Krohn and Maust will both looking to build on the success that their program had this season as well, as they led the Lakers to an 11-5-2 record this season.The 11-5-2 record was a major improvement over last season's record of 3-7-1 and 11 wins is the most that the program has had since 2011.Maust and Krohn accomplished that with a nice blend of senior leadership (8 seniors) and young talent (9 underclassmen).For those reasons, along with the fact that they led the Lakers to a district championship, Maust and Krohn were named MIHSSCA District 59-4 Coaches of the Year."The returning players put in work and were ready to prove themselves," Krohn said. "The freshmen came in excited and ready to contribute. The girls were selfless and willing to put the team first."Maust added: "We were lucky to have a group of coachable, hungry girls. They were willing to put in the work, which is what we as coaches want. They made coaching them easy, because they were so open to what we had for them."ALL DISTRICT: Bad Axe — Alayna Engler, Josephine Fitzpatrick, Claudia Fitzpatrick, Jenna Krug, Sara Wehner; Harbor Beach — Alicia Booms, Haylie Essenmacher, Emily Hentschl, Makara Kramer, Megan Pawlowski; Lakers — Mandy Arnott, Kaitlin Brown, Hannah Hammond, Lauren Henry, Halle Keim, Hannah PenfoldALL REGION: Bad Axe — Josephine Fitzpatrick; Harbor Beach — Megan Pawlowski; Lakers — Kaitlin Brown